I hadn't really seen many reports yet of strut tower mushrooming on the R56 yet, but an alignment check at the dealer this weekend and a very observant technician pointed out a slight bulge to my right front strut tower.
We have some truly nasty streets in Seattle and I am running a mild drop (Eibach pro-kit springs).
It also added/increased my negative camber from -.5 to -1.5, so if I can just find a big enough pothole to fix the left side, I'll be all set for the track

 

lol nice title.

Thx for the heads up

 

Oh NO! This is going to kick off the whole Strut Tower concern on the newer MINI design. You said you have Eibach springs, did you have any STD protection when the damage may have occurred?

 

no, I hadn't heard of any troubles with the new Mini, so I've been running naked.
I've heard M7 may have a new strut brace/STD that'll work with the JCW intake, so that may be the way I go.

 

Last I checked, M7 front strut brace does not work with the JCW stage 1 airbox.

 

I was talking with the editor of MC2 and he'd mentioned the new brace, but I haven't seen any official updates yet.

 

Could be. M7 said they would have one out in 2008 when I spoked to them. Something about being in final test at that time. I think there are some fitment issues.

 

nm STB will take care of any intake that i've come across... definitely stock ones too... but if you are just looking for mushrooming protection... just grab anything... M7, Craven Speed...

i'm still very surprised you have a problem with this... i thought MINI reengineered it so that there wasn't mushrooming anymore. and considering this is one of the first ones i've ever heard of, i have a feeling that it may just be an extreme circumstance that there's any mushrooming at all... i have an 07 and for two years ran no protection and no problem... unless baby minis randomly appear in my garage i won't be worried :P

wow.. there is no way to get around those jokes when you're talking about STDs and mushroom protection is there...

 

hope my mini does not come down with a rash or bumps

 

M7 is supposed to have a new STB out in April that clears the JCW box and the MAF sensor. No pix available. I was told January, then Feb now April so who knows when it will actually surface

 

Man I'd be real happy if baby minis appeared in my garage, think of the cost savings

I fitted M7 STD as soon as Gladstone arrived. The roads here are terrible for bumps potholes.

 

Just double checking before I plunge. When you say the NM STB/STD will clear any CAI, does that include my m7 Super AGS? Don't want to do a return. Thanks - Dwight